Ore processing apparatus



A ril 18, 1944. c. s. RAMSEY ORE PROCESSING APPARATUS Filed March 23,1940 3 Sheets-Sheet l ii -1* Z) g 9.5 94

April 18, 1944. c, s RAMSEY 2,346,787

ORE PROCESSING A PP ARATUS Filed March 23, 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 ClarencLifianzisqy,

. 'm J; I

cfs. RAMSEY ORE PROCESSING APPARATUS April 18, 1944.

Filed March 23, 1940 '3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Clarence 52 g Patented Apr. 18,1944 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE- ORE PROCESSENG1-APBARATUSClarenceSJRamsey, Springfield, "hio- Application March 23, 194i),-Serial ,No- L 325,647

'7 Claims.

This .is an improvement over. my prior :application Serial No. 136,281,filed April 12, 1937, and particularly With/respect .to claims 21, 44.,:and 45 allowed in said .prior application.

The invention relates to means for extracting values from bodies ofvarious kinds, and in its particular embodiment is adapted to use in oreprocessing.

It is an important aim of the invention .to present an apparatus andmethod for extracting with increased efficiency values fromcom- .plexores wherein parts can onlybe satisfactorily extracted by leaching andother partsmore economically recovered by amalgamation, and a relatedaim of the invention ,is .to enable the leaching and amalgamation stepsto wloewaccomplished in one operationwith high efiiciency.

A still further object is .to enable the :constructicn of such apparatuswhich will be &extremely simple and .inexpensive.

It is an important'desideratum to enable the use of ammoniacal or likeleaching solutions with greater economy and efiiciencythan heretofore,:and in this connection to present novel apparatus and method for therecovery-and presvtowpresent means wherebyin the charging and operationof the system liability of obstruction of the apparatus byjsettled orcompacted solids is obviated, and particularly, further, to enable thecontinuous high velocity circulation of ;the liquid mediumand suspendedmaterial throu hout the operation of the system, with a :minimum ofpower, so that thorough suspension f the solids will be securedthrougl'iout, and 2WhBIZ6- by the establishment of suspension of freshcharges will be facilitated with a minimum requirement of power.

A further object is to present meanszforestablshing simplifiedcirculation of the slimeswherein gravity will not oppose the;movementrmaterially.

Other purposes are topresent noveiportiand closure-constructions forenabling .the conductor the essentialoperations of the system with-edi--ciency and .despatch.

.vision 10f :means and methods whereby the-tailings 'mayQbe;removed;.f-rom the :system with .a minimumgoi labororpowenor expense,and with axminimumloss :of water. Theseare ,of peculiar value:becausethe ,ores requiring treatment withrm apparatus are found .inextremely ;is olatedgand arid regions. andthe use, of water isessential.

A;further important accomplishment of the invention-.consistsin enablingthe constant maintenance of ;circu1ation.;of liquid in the system,firstasa leach n asolutiomthen. as a slime when the solids to .beextracted are introduced, and than Without intermission of operation,when the .slimes are ,discharged,-.to begin the circulationjof freshsolution ready for thejintroduction of a new charge of solids, with orwithout an intermediate change of the liquid medium in which the solidsare "suspended.

Additional obj ects; advantages and "features of invention --res ide-inthe steps of -.procedure, and the construction -;arrangement andcombination of parts involved in'zthe embodiment of the apparatus,system, as willgappear or be understood from the followingdescription-and accompanying drawings, wherein Figure :1 is a verticalsection ofthe slimes tank and circulatory system in an apparatusembodying features of the invention and enabling practice of the novelsteps of process iiormin part .of the invention with ammonia or othersolvents shown at the charging of the tank readvy for introduction oftheleaching and suspension solution.

rFigureQ is a similar view showinga modificationlof thecomplete systemfor treatment -.of slimes requiring ammoniacal treatment, and at thetime-.whenthe solids are, completely suspended and the normalliquidlevelestablished but parts having been removed.

Figure} is;a similar view showing a further modificationcof the-systemasoperated with an open tank, and at astage where it is :ready fordischarge ,of the tailings after one method of operation.

.Figure 4 ;is -a view at right angles of (a ;de tailof'Eigures l to 3. a

.Figure 5;;is-a .cross .section .on the line- .5-,5 ,of Fi ure 1.

Figure :5 is a fragmentary elevation of zthe junction of the hopper tankand slimestank.

Figure 7 is a detail of the slimes discharge valve.

Figure 56 [is g a detail of the slimes return :cut-

Attainments of' great value include the-pro- .off valve.

Figure 9 is a detail of the settling hopper for tailings.

Main slimes tank:

part of the bottom being iormed with a slightly 1 extended outlet portor mouth 23, which may be internally threaded, and in which there issecured an upstanding outlet port tube 24 having one or more lateralports 25 therein through which comminuted ore in suspension may passfreely from the tank under the circulation hereinafter described. Adepending outflow nipple 26 is also set in the outer part of the mouth,forming a conduit continuation from the tube 24.

The tank has a top head 21, which may be either integrally formed on thetank or united therewith or secured thereto, as desired, and near thewall 22 one or more charging ports are formed in the head, each having araised lip and closed by a screw cap 29, or other closure, a gasket seal36 being interposed. The head is also formed with a large centralmanhole or other large opening 3] closed normally by a cover plate 32having an upstanding sleeve 33' concentric with the tank in the presentinstance.

It may be bolted removably to the head 21 conventionally, with aninterposed gasket 34. Means are provided to close and seal the sleeve 33as will be described.

Circulatory system and amalgam pools A circulatory system isestablished, including the tank and a conduit 40' beginning with theoutlet nipple and reentering the tank at a higher level. This comprisesa first mercury trap basin, or pool element 36, which is a substantiallyU-shaped tube as viewed from one side, but being formed with a bottomsection 31 which may be a longitudinally rectilinear tube semicircularin cross section with the arched wall upward, having loading andunloading doors 36 and 362) at top and bottom, respectively, and havingupturned L fittings 38 at the ends, each being part of a conventionalunion 35; f The first L is connected-with the lower end of the nipple26, while the other L is connected to a nipple 39 from which aconventional connection is made with the intake of a centrifugal pump4!], which in the present instance is at a level above the basin 36, andits discharge pipe 4| is extended and connected to the upwardlyextending arm of an L 38 of a second pool or basin element 36, similarto the first and forming with the first basin and the pump acontinuation of theconduit 40' from the mouth of the slimes tank 20. Thedeparture end of the second basin has connected thereto by its union 35a riser 42, which extends upward to a level with an upper part of thetank 20, where an ajutage 43 is continued horizontally therefrom throughthe wall 22' of the tank and provided with a downwardly inclined nozzlepipe 44 which may be at a tangentto some are concentric with the tank.

Tailings discharge At an intermediate level, the pipe 42 is providedwith a T 45, in which a lateral short nipple 45 is engaged, andconnected to this there is a valve 52, including a case 41 having adownwardly directed discharge port 48 from which-a flexible hose 49 isextended to a suitable hopper 50 or other receiver of tailings, cradleron trunnions as at 5|, in the present instance, adapted to enableseparation of pregnant solution or water from the tailings, and having aconventional means 52' for effecting tilting of the hopper and dumpingof the residue, this means here consisting of an extension of onetrunnion and gearing operatively associated therewith to be driven fromany convenient source of power.

Slimas valve The valve 52 in the present instance is shown as made upwith the T body constituting the case 41, and being of considerablygreater diameter than the nipple 46. It is provided with a bushing 54into which the nipple 46 is screwed, and formed on the inner side with arabbet seat in which there is secured a ring seat face 55 of rubber orother suitable material. A similar bushing 55 is engaged in the oppositeend of the T fitted with a seat 51 similar to the one 55 and in thisthere is engaged a tube 58 of somewhat larger diameter than the nipple46 and of suitable length for the uses to be described. In this tubethere is slidable a valve stem 59, on which there is fixed a planiformvalve 50 reciprocable between the seats 55 and 51 for alternativeseating on the two. There is also formed a clearing stem 6| projectingfrom the opposite side of the valve 60 through the nipple 46 (when thevalve is closed) to the path of stock which passes through the riser 42.This stem 6| may be tapered at its extremity, although this is notessential. But it is important to note that the stem BI is shorter thanthe distance between the valve 60 and the seat 55 when the valve isopened and positioned against the seat 51, so that a good clearance isprovided between the stem 6| and the end of the nipple 1n the case 41and allowing a clear path to the discharge port of the case 41. In theouter end of the stem 59 there is set removably a lateral pin 62 engagedslidably in a longitudinal slot 68 by which the valve is prevented fromrotating, andswivelled in the extremity of the stem 59 there is a screwbar 64 having threads 65 at its inner part and threads 66 at its outerpart but having threads omitted on the intermediate portion which isalso reduced in diameter. A cap 61 is fixed 0n the end of the tube 58,in which the unthreaded part of the bar 64 may slide freely, butinteriorly threaded so that either threaded portion of the bar 64 may bescrewed therein to hold the valve 60 at respective limits of itsmovement. A hand wheel 68 is fixed on the extremity of the bar 64 forits proper manipulation. It will be understood that the valve may beheld in closed position'by rotating the bar so as to screw the outerthreaded portion of the bar 64 into the cap 67, and may be opened byreverse rotation unscrewing the bar a short distance, and then pullingthe bar slidably through the cap until the inner threads of the barengage the cap 61, when by a further reverse rotation of the bar 64 itmay be screwed outwardly into the cap so as to hold the valve open.At-the junction of the riser 42 and the ajutage pipe 43 a similar valve52-11 is provided, the ajutage pipe leading from the discharge portthereof. The clearing stem Bl may be omitted inthis valve if desired. Inthe first valve the stem =61 prevents accumulation of packed-ore in thenipple 46 when the yalve'is closed, but' in .the second-valve gravitywill prevent such packing.

Size of elements.

ing of corresponding size, in the installation :in-

dicated, The pool .or basin elements :36 should beof cross section suchthat the clearanceiover the mercury will be not less than that of thesupply pipe thereto, but the diameter .oftheeilluent connections-of. thepools including .riser mmay be such as to reduce the velocity of theslimes leaving the mercury pools. The pumpemployed :hasbeen acentrifugal type available on :the;

open market, of a size approximate to the size pipe .used in theconduit, and with animpeller-of appropriate strength and wear-resistingquality.

An auxiliary drain valve 52-h similar to valve 52, is provided on theside of the tank intermediately of the height of the ajutage pipe 43, toaid in removal of slimes or pregnant suspension medium, or asanalternative to useof the valve 52. The discharge from this valve may beutilized according -to the nature thereof.

Stand pipe valve In the tank there is set a stand pipe 7 of suflicientlylarger diameter thanthe port tube 24 to slip freely downwardtherearound. Theremay be a clearance between the two. The pipe in isformed with .a planiform foot flange H or seat, to the lower side ofwhich a soft rubber or like seat facing 72 is permanently fixed,arranged to engage the conical part of the tank aroundthe '1 tube 24 asa'valve, and the entire pipe 10 maybe regarded as a valve, as indicatedin my prior application. The tube 2 extends sufliciently within the pipe10 above the port 25 -to:serveas a guide for the pipe 10 when the latteris raised to open the port, as will be described an'd to hold the pipein vertical position. The upper end of the pipe H1 is belled to affordan interior seat-I3, which is also faced with rubber 1:4 or the like,and the lip of the bell is disposed at a level with or above the ajutagepipe 43 when the pipe 10 is in seated position on the bottom of thetank. The bell is smaller than the manhole-3l, and for hoisting thestandpipe from the tank, a bail is pivoted thereon, of suitable size andproportions, also adapted to pass through the manhole.

Liquid loading means Slidable in the sleeve 33 there is a port tube orfilling tube it, the lower end of which is formed with a planiform-seatflange 11, adapted to engage the seat '14 snugly and the upper side ofwhich has secured thereon a similar seat facing -18 adapted to engagethe underside of the cover plate 32 when the flushing tube is raised.

the coverplate,pr downwardly to seat in :the bell ef-the standpipe 10.In the present. instance, :the means to *hold'the tube 16 upward maycomprise turnbuckles Bil, adapted to be extended .under compressionbetween-the-lugs I9 and "the coverplate as an alternative to a hoistdevice to 'be described. The upper end of the tube 16 maybe closed witha cap 8| and to makesuch closure-gas and liquidtight, a soft rubberfacing -82 is applied-to the top of the tube, which may be flanged toalford an adequate face on which the facing may be applied. The cap isheld in place by means of a bail 83 on the arms 19 and having a screw 84engaged therethrough, so that whenthe bail is raised over the cap thescrew 84 maybe screwed against the cap to hold it in sealed position.The screw is formed with an eye 85, and-by means of a hoisting cable 86,pulleys .81, and-anchor hooks 188, the bail may be usedas a hoist tolift the tube to sealing position instead of the turnbuckles, or toremove the tube and plate 34.

A hopper tank 98, open at the top and-formed with a discharge spout 89,is set upon the upper end of the tube '18, with the spout entered inthis tube. It has a seat at its lower side to engage the facing 82. Thehopper is provided with a cross "bar 9| at the top with which there isseparately engaged a hoist cable 92 carried over a "pulley 93suspendedfrom an I-beam El i, which may be part of a crane or otherwisemova- Zble if desired, the detail of its mounting not being shown. Thepulley 93 is mounted on 'a carriage 95, which is adapted'to travel alongthe :beam e94.

' Hoists In the present instance, the pulleys 31 are mounted on theunder side of a cross beam 96 supported at the .upper endsof uprights 91fixed on opposite sides of the tank 20, or otherwise erected. A longercablev 86 may be mounted a]- .ternatively in these pulleys to hoist :thestand pipe 10 as required. This cable is extended from the outermostpulley 8! to an anchorage 99 on one of the uprights 9'! and a weighttill) may be .suspendedthereon, the mass of which is slightly greaterthan the unbalancedmass of the standpipe Ill when the latter issubmerged in the fully homogeneous mixture of the ore aggregates andsolvent liquids in the tank. The stand pipe will remain seated while thetank 26 is filled with liquid, while the ore charge is introduced, andwhile the latter is ina settled state or partly ,settled and beingmoved'into suspension, but when the ore charge is all fully suspended,the weight 100 will overbalance the standpipe, ,and draw the cable 86'over the pulleys, lifting the :standpipe. In the size of equipmentindicated, the stand-pipe should be lifted about twelve inches, more orless. As it is lifted from the slimes, it is sustained less and less bythe displaced dimes and it comes to rest when the weight and partlysubmerged standpipe are balanced.

The hopper tank The hopper tank is formed with a suitably faced-port I08at the throat-of the hopper, the throat being the inner endof the spout89, and a ball valve N19 is provided adapted to seat inthe port.Thefacing at I08 may be resilient rubber or other suitable material. Theball valve N19 may *be equipped with any usual guide means ,to cause itto move to a proper seat in the-port'when raised and released. Arable,wire or other Ii-ft ing means IIO may be attached to the ball andanchored either to the carriage 95 or cross beam 96, the cable being ofsuch length that when the tank 98 is in lowered position, resting on thefiller tube 16, and the latter set on the seated stand pipe, as inFigure 1, the ball will be held'from its seat so as to permit any liquidcontent of the tank 98 to flow into the tank 20 through the filler tubeand into the standpipe I0. When the tank 98 is raised from its lastnamed position and relation to the tank 20 with the tube I6 attachedthereto or not, the ball will move to its seat, and by introducing aproper quantity of liquid solvent or the like into the tank 98, the ballwill be held to its seat with sufiicient force to withstand pressures inthe tank 20, the special utility of which will subsequently appear.

Means is provided to connect the hopper tank and filler tube tightlytogether, but releasably, consisting in turn-buckles III, one element ofeach of which is swivelled as at I I2 on the under side of the tank 98,and the other element of which is releasably connected as at I I3 with arespective lug 19 on the tube I6. In case it is considered necessary tohold the tube I6 downwardly with greater force on the stand pipe I0, aswhen the cap BI is required, the means shown in Figures 1, 5, and 6 maybe employed. This consists of a yoke II4, U-shaped in plan, pivoted atthe ends of its arms on links II pivoted on the head 21 of the tank, thelinks II5 being of such length and position that the yoke may be swunginwardly around the tube 16 to rest with the arms of the yoke across thelugs 19 and in nearly or quite horizontal position. The bight portionII6 of the yoke is secured by a suitable tie or hold-down hook member II I on the head, so that the yoke is pressed upon or held closely overthe lugs I9.

Solvent rejuvenation means At a convenient point a generator device I20is located which may consist of a still tank of conventionalconstruction, and a burner I2I or other heating means, a bottomclean-out door I22 and suitable hermetic closure being provided as wellas charging neck I23 with appropriate closure, also gas-tight. From thetop of the still a pipe I24 extends to the upper end of a condenser coilI25, set in a suitable heat exchange device I26, or other conventionalmeans for exchanging or dissipating heat. From the lower end of the coila pipe I21 leads downward to and 'is connected into an intermediatelevel of a receiver I28. This vessel is provided with a drawoff or draincock I36 or other means for removing liquid content of the vessel. Fromthe extreme upper part of the vessel I23, a gas conduit pipe I29 isextended through the side of the tank 20, at any desired level althoughshown at the same level as the ajutage pipe 43. The gas conduit has adownwardly directed discharge or nozzle section I30 arranged to delivergas into the tank 20 at a low level. It is shown opening at a levelwhich would be above the top surface of a settled charge of oreaggregates, although this is not arbitrary. A check valve I3I isprovided in the pipe to prevent movement of gas or liquid from the tank20 toward the still, and a hand or other feed valve I32 is put in thepipe I29 close to the top of the receiver. Immediately beyond this valveand outwardly of the check valve, away from the tank 20, a compressedair supply line I33 is connected into the pipe I29, with a suitable airsupplycontrol valve I34. This air supply line may lead from any suitablesource of compressed air, formally shown at I35. I

From the drain cock I36 liquid maybe con;- ducted in any conventionalmanner to storage or to the tank 20 as desired.

In the head of the tank 20 a vent nipple I31 is set, from which a gasvent pipe I38 is extended into the bottom of an absorber tank I39, con.-forming to approved practices in such devices. A vent valve I40 handoperated is provided in this pipe I38 from the tank 20, and an auxiliaryabsorber tank I4I may be provided if desired, into the bottom of whichgas not absorbed in the tank I39 is discharged by a second vent pipe I42from the top of the tank I39. At the top 0! the auxiliary tank, aconventional adjustable pressure retaining blow-off valve I43 isprovided adapted to vent gases not absorbed in the remainder of thesystem, when a given pressure is exceeded in the system.

The separation of slimes and solvents is well understood, and anyapproved means may be associated with the means for discharging orotherwise removing the slimes from the tank 20, to separate the oreresidue from the final liquid content, the latter being returned to thetank 20 as required, with or without intervening distillation at I20,according to the nature of the liquid.

Operation of the system In the operation of this system and apparatusmodifications may be made appropriate to the treatments found peculiarlyadvantageous for different ores, as will be understood by those versedin the art, from the foregoing description of apparatus.

In the treatment of malachite and azurite ores, and in fact for most ofthe copper salts found above the sulphide zone, my apparatus and methodare found peculiarly valuable and especially where copper salts arefound with some gold or silver, or both. It is adapted to thesimultaneous leaching of copper salts and amalgamation of gold andsilver; or for the recovery of values by successive steps with differentsolvents, without removing the ore from the apparatus, such as leachingwith dilute sulphuric acid, washing, alkalizing, and then cyaniding forgold and silver or other values.

The invention is not limited to the treatment of ores, but could be usedfor the extraction of values from various solids. For instance;extracting the active principles from crude drugs, replacing the oldmethod of percolation by which tinctures and fluid extracts are made inan alcoholic vehicle.

For the treatment of compound ores requiring ammoniacal leaching andalso having gold and/or silver available for amalgamation, the procedureis as follows, after the apparatus has been erected substantially asdescribed.

The tank is placed in proper condition by closing all valves in thesystem except the valve 52a and the gas vent valve I40, adjusting thestandpipe 10 in position upon the conical bottom of the tank, thefilling tube 16 being set in the bell of the standpipe and after theyoke I I4 has been secured down on the lugs 19 by the holddown In, thehopper tank 98, filled with a charge of water or liquor before or after,may be introduced in position with its spout extended into the upper endof the tube 16-, and the seat engaging the upper end of the tube. Byreason of the cable I I0 unseating the ball valve I09, any

aware?- liquidin the tank. willthen be immediately. dis..-

charged through. the. tube. ls-and standpipe ill into the circulatorysystem,.without enterin the tankZll directly. If desired, the tank 98may be suspended slightly aboveits seat on thetube 16,.

The ore is comminuted by'the usualstampingmethods, and machinery, and.the fines introduced into the empty tank Ziiincharges of suit able sizeby the use approved apparatus or by hand. For the economy of ammonia,the ore charge may be first introduced through one or more of thecharging ports 28. Mercury is also introducedinto the basins 36 beforethe leaching liquid is introduced by opening theloading doors 36-A' andpouring in the proper quantity of mercury, then securing the doors-inclosed position.

The initial charge of liquid in the tank .20 may be water or a solutionof ammonia. In order to minimize waste of ammonia, anhydrous ammonia inproper'quantity may be introduced additionally, from the still 20 orother source, during the circulation of the slimes, aswill ape pear.The-suspension liquid is now introduced in a quantity sufficient, withthe ore charge, to establish a liquid level in the tank 20, at leastabove the ajutage pipe 13. It is an advantage of this that there will bea-hydrostatic balance of the two legs of the circuit of slimes, one inthe tank and one in the conduit 49- beside the tank,

so that no expenditure of power will be. requiredin merely liftin theslimes from one level to another. The pump i0 is placed in operationafter the liquid is introduced, and the tube 1-6 must be raised from thestandpipe It whenthe pump operates (the yoke H4 being disconnected fromthe hold-down II! so that the yoke. may belifted by the lugor the tubemay berotated sothat the lug will clear the yoke). The tube 16 is raisedfrom the bell of the standpipe 10, until the flange T! is pressedagainst the. seat facing 18, effecting a sealing of the tank there.

This raising may be effected by hoisting of thetank 98 which may beretained connected to the tube 16 throughout the leaching, when ammoniaand other solvents of a volatile nature are used.

The pump 40 being nowin operation, it establishes avery rapid flow ofthe liquid through the'conduit or. As the liquid leaves the nozzle pipe44 it-is directed downwardly against the charge of comminuted ore. Thisrapidly lifts the ore particles in the rapidly moving current,

the liquid and suspended matter falling into the pipe. 10 and passing tothe pump again. The

entire body of ore is quickly thus. brought into By'introducing a bodyof liquid into the tank..98- ready for'thev next use of liquidtherefrom, thevalve I09 is then pressed to its seat and a liquid sealefiected in addition. The turn buckles: 8U maybe used additionally, andif desired, the tank 98 may be removed and the: tube iii-closed withth'e-Icap 8 I.- If' the liquid first introduced through the -tank .98isanammoniasolution, a rapid leachingoftheore will be effected, and .theaction will be enhanced by. placing in thestill a: charge of pregnantliquorv from the. previous leaching operation, and distilling, theammonia therefrom, opening, the valve I32 so that the anhydrous ammonia(NI-Is): first given off in the distillation off ammonium. hydroxide(NHiOH) or. the. excess conjointl'ythrown off with water and collectionof the latter in the receiver I28, inthe distillation of cupricammonium. hydroxide and similar compounds will act. directly on thecopper values in the ore with which it .comes in contact when releasedin the tank. The remainderof the ammonia so dischargedand notimmediately reacting. with the-copper elements willllbe rapidly absorbedby the water. of the suspensionlliquids and the. ammonia. therebycirculated with and. distributed throughout the slimes to actfurther assuch or as hydroxide on other copper salts thereby conducted. Thestill'is preferably. not operated to complete expulsion of water fromthe copper ammoniate.

The circulation of the slimes with the. conduit elements in the lastnamed relation is maintained in conjunction with thecontinued.introduction of ammonia from the stilluntil' complete leaching.

of. the copper content or a satisfactory impregnation of the leachingliquid with copper values is effected, or until the body of liquidandcopper compound from which the ammonia is distilled is reduced to apredetermined low content of ammonia, or circulation may. be continuedfurther ififurther. movement of the slimes on thelmercury pools isdesired to elTect. amalgamation of gold or other values still availablefor amalgamation.

Ifit is desiredto. treat theflnes with a fresh.

the flushing liquid. The latter .will then stand as.

a supernatant liquid in thetank. 2H, and the ore will: settle to thebottom ofthe tank below the, levelof the valve 521), with the pregnantliquor between the ore and supernatant'flushing, liquid.

The pregnant liquor may now be drawn oif through theva'lve'52b andremoved to storage or to the generator I20 for distillation. As soon asall. the strong liquor is drawn off, the valve 5% is closed, leavingstill an amountof the flushing liquid in the tank 20, and ifInecessary,more may be introduced to raise the level above the adjutage 43. Thetank 98 and tube 16 are then again raised to seal the tank 20, and thepump 40 placed again in operation. The ore becomes quicklysuspendedagain, circulating the fresh liquidand forming slimesas in the firstinstance. If there was sufficient ammonia in the flushing. liquid, afurther leaching. will. occur thereby, but by continued operation of.the generator I20 the necessary reaction can be restored or augmented soas to effect-thef-urther leaching desired.

If the ore isof a compound nature requiring leaching with a new anddifierent solvent, in the flushing and shut down of the pump as lastmentioned, water is used as the flushing liquid and after removal of thepregnant liquor, the operation of the-pump is restored for a time towash the ore with the flushing water, and any added water that may beconsidered necessary. This brings the ore into suspension again, andafter a sufficient movement of the slimes thus formed, a furtherflushing with water from the tank 98 as last described to clear theconduit 40' is effected, and the pump again shut down, allowing the oreto settle while the conduit 40' is full of water only. This washingwater constituting a weak solution of the cupric ammonium hydroxide isthen drawn off through valve 52b, and the latter closed. If analkalizing treatment is required this may be elfected by introducing theproper alkaline liquid, or by charging the tank with the necessary saltthrough the port 28 accompanied by the introduction of water and renewedoperation of the pump with the tube 16 lifted.

In some treatments where no volatile elements are present the tube 16and cover plate 32 may be completely removed as in Figure 3, leaving themanhole 3| open for such operations as accompany the introduction of thealkalizing material. After the alkalizing the new solvent may beprepared or introduced in accordance with the procedure alreadydescribed, and the circulation of the new slimes effected by the pump 40as long as required.

When all practical values have been removed from the ore, and the finalsolvent has been removed as before described, a tailing water isintroduced and the pump operated to establish a circulation by which theore residue is placed in suspension finally, for removal.

Whenever the ore residue is to be removed, the tank is opened, as inFigure 3, and the cable 86' and weight I connected as shown in Figure 3,while the ore residue is settled. Initially the stand pipe 10 willremain in lowered position. Then, as soon as the entire body of oreresidue has been brought into suspension the liquid and the ore residuewill constitute a homogeneous tailings fluid, such that after the footof the pipe 10 will have been cleared of settled ore, the pipe may beeasily raised, and the weight I00 will automatically raise the pipe 10from the bottom of the tank and so hold it during the remainder of thecirculation of the tailings of this charge. The fluid now passesdirectly through the outlet port 25 to the conduit 40' the current fromthe nozzle M serving to produce suificient currents in the body ofslimes in the tank to effect a uniform suspension and maintain thesuspension liquid and ore matter as a homogeneous fluid.

The last named circulation may be utilized at other stages of thetreatments, if desired. While the pipe Ill is thus raised, whenever thetank 98 and filling tube are positioned in engagement with the pipe 10as before described, and lowered, the pipe 10 will be forced to seatedposition again, with immediate release of whatever liquid there may bein the tank 98 to the conduit 40, thus instantly clearing the latter.stoppage of the pump may at these times be effected with safety fromliability of blocking or choking of passages by settled ore, and thecirculation can always be immediately established or reestablishedwithout delays in removing obstructions.

After introduction of the tailings water, and establishment ofsuspension of the ore residue therein, the pipe 10 is finall raised, thevalve 52 opened, and the tailings conducted through the pipe 49 to thefinal settling tank 50, where removal of the water and its return tostorage may be efiected in familiar ways. If the tailings are to bedelivered at a level or head greater than that at the valve 52. it wouldbe desirab e to close the valve 52a at the top of the riser 42' untilthe tailings have been discharged.

As soon as, or before, the last of the tailings have left the tank 20, afinal washing water is introduced into the tank 20 to clear the last ofthe tailings past the pump and through the valve 52, after which theprocedure previously described for initiating treatment of a charge maybe repeated.

The mercury may of course be removed before any particular leachingoperation, especially with a solution or solvent which would foul themercury. In such event, after the washing of the ore and its settlingafter flushing the conduit 40, washing water would be drained at 52b,and the last of the water and the mercury removed at the unloading doors36B.

It will be seen from the foregoing that many and varied treatments maybe applied (to ores without removal of the ore from the tank 20;

each effected with great ease and economy, both in time, and expenditureof energy in any form; and with high efficiency in processing andeconomy of water and solvents.

Operation of the generator 128 -nia to the plant as liquefied anhydrousammonia in commercial high pressure cylinders, and to release it intothe slimes in the tank 20, as required, until a desired body of strongliquor is available. The water would be brought in separately and usedas required to afford the proper suspension of the ore as treated. Afterleaching of ore sufficiently to form a pregnant liquor or a reasonableconcentration of the ore values therein, the pregnant liquor isseparated as indicated and introduced into the still I20, and the heaterl2| operated and the valve l32 opened. It will be understood that withammonia in solution in water in this product, with moderateconcentration or as th simple hydroxide, initially the ammonia will begiven off from such strong ammonia liquor in comparatively large volumeat temperatures materially below the boiling point of water, and thecondenser coil will serve as a rectifier for this gas (although this isnot specially sought or material) removing the water which will drain tothe receiver I28 re-absorbing on the way a part of the anhydrous ammoniaand reforming a small amount of strong ammonia liquor in the receiver.The gaseous ammonia will produce a pressure which will force it readilyinto the tank 20 when the valve I32 is open. The

ammonia of the cupric ammoniate in the still is less readilydisassociated from the copper, and consequently after the simpler formsare exhausted much higher temperatures are involved in the furtherdistillation which will be at or above the boiling point of Water. Theresult is that much water goes over at the same time with the ammoniaand is condensed in the coil I25 and cooled so that it reabsorbs muchammonia forming a strong liquor in the receiver I28. But there is stilla considerable excess of ammonia which passes to the tank 20 as beforeindicated. The concentrated ammonia liquor from the receiver I28 may beintroduced into the tank, at proper times by any suitable means.

Any gases evolved in the still not capableof absorption by thesuspension liquid will escape through the blow-off valve.

The precipitated copper oxid and some O0D-' per ammoniate liquorremaining after a period of distillation, may be run off together fromthe still at intervals and the copper oxide recovered and otherwisetreated in accordance with approved practices.

It will be apparent that with the apparatus described and the methodpracticed, a sealed treatment of large quantities of ore is madepracticable with economy and high efliciency. By en abling the movementof the slimes residue from the tank, a considerable economy of labor andpower, as well as of time is eilected, and all treatments may beconducted with a minimum loss of volatile solvent by evaporation, aswell as the repeated utilization of a comparatively small amount ofwater made practicable.

I claim:

1. In a leaching apparatus, a sealed tank having a conical bottom, meansto establish therein a circulation of liquid including a conduitcommunicating at one end with tank at the apex of the conical bottom andat the other end with an upper portion of the tank, means to circulateliquid through the conduit, a stand pipe element movable vertically inthe tank, and in its lowermost position communicating with the conduitat the bottom of the tank and having its upper end below the top of thetank, a vertically movable tube slidable through the top of the tank,constructed and arranged to engage with and form a sealed continuationof the stand pipe, a hopper tank constructed and arranged to deliver tosaid tube, means to lift said hopper and tube as a unit and means toform a sealed joint between the hopper and the tube when the two areengaged.

2. The structure of claim 1, in which a resilient seat facing is mountedon the lower end of the stand pipe and cooperable with the bottom of thetank, a sealing means between the stand pipe and said vertically movabletube, a sealing means between the vertically movable tube and the tanktop, and means to alternatively press the movable tube upon the standpipe and to raise the latter with said hopper and movable tube and pressthe vertically movable tube against the sealing means of the tank top.

3. In a system of the character described, a com ical bottomed sealedtank, means to establish a circulation of liquid therein including aconduit having one end arranged to receive material from the vertex ofthe bottom of the tank and the other arranged to discharge into a higherpart of the tank above the level of a charge and having a downwardlydirected nozzle, means to move liquid through the conduit, a standpipevertically movable axially in the tank and having an open topterminating below the top of the tank and above said nozzle a distance,a conduit section positioned above the standpipe and slidable throughthe top of the tank, compression seat means on said section and tank toform a seal when the extension is raised, a hopper tank operativelyassociated and movable with said conduit section adapted to dischargeliquid into the latter, a valve for the hopper, means responsive toraising of the hopper to close the valve when the hopper is raised, andmeans to raise the conduit section and hopper as a unit, said meansincluding clamping means for holding the conduit section and hoppertogether as a unit.

4. The structure of claim 3, in which the stand pipe, said conduitsection and said hopper are separable units, means for formingcompression joints therebetween, means to press the hopper downward,means to raise the hopper whereby the compression joint between saidconduit section and tank top is broken.

5. In apparatus of the character described, a tank having a standpipetherein and means to circulate liquid orbitally in a circuit including aconduit, a pump, the tank and a standpipe in series whereby the liquidwill overflow into the standpipe, said tank having a top portion, a tubeslidable therethrough to form a connection with the top of the standpipein lowered position, and slidable into spaced relation with thestandpipe when in elevated position, means to seal the tube upon thestandpipe when in lowered position, a seat on the tank around the tube,and a sealing element on the tube arranged to engage the seat when thetube is in elevated position to form a seal, and means to hold the tubeat the last named position.

6. In ore processing means, a tank, a pump located adjacent the bottomof said tank, means of communication between the bottom of said tank andthe inlet of said pump, a nozzle at the top of said tank, means ofcommunication between the discharge of said pump and said nozzle, and aremovable valve associated with said tank, said valve comprising acasing having sealing means at its lower end adapted to engage around anopening in the wall of the tank, said casing having an open upper end,and a sleeve vertically movable with respect to said casing adapted inits lower position to seal the open upper end of the casing, said casingwhen open providing a continuation of the means of communication betweenthe bottom of the tank and the inlet of the pump.

7. In ore processing apparatus, a tank device, a circulatory systemoperatively associated therewith including a conduit havin communicationwith the bottom of the tank adjacent one end of the conduit and with ahigher part of the tank at the opposite end of the conduit, meansincluded in the conduit to propel fluid material through the conduit,the upper end of the conduit having a terminal discharge element insidethe tank and being directed downwardly, separable means adapted to forman extension of the first named portion of the conduit to a level abovethe discharge element, said extension having a flange adjacent the lowerend thereof upon which ore comes to rest, and means to automaticallyraise said extension consisting of a hoist means having a counterweightadapted to be detachably engaged with said extension.

CLARENCE S. RAMSEY.

